President Obama has said that the world is a safer place now that Osama bin Laden is dead. The administration used DNA tests and other methods to confirm that US forces had in fact killed bin Laden. The article also notes that even though bin Laden is dead, al-Qaeda is not, and that there is a risk of retaliatory attacks.

The marines quoted in this piece view the killing of bin Laden as a “notch in the belt”, but are quick to note that it doesn’t mean that the war is over.
"Photo of Osama Bin Laden's Corpse Deemed a Fake"

After the death of bin Laden, the people of Afghanistan have had a wide range of reactions. Some are relieved that bin Laden has been killed, but others do not think that his death will change the situation in Afghanistan. Teacher Abdul Wadood says, “The killing of Osama will not impact security in Afghanistan and the region. As much as Americans are happy for his death, Al Qaeda can replace him and another person can lead them, and they will increase their attacks.”

Following the Islamic burial rites and sea burial of Osama bin Laden’s body, debates ensued among Muslim clerics, some of whom felt the burial was humiliating. Others felt that the burial procedure was proper. A US official explained the decision to bury bin Laden at sea with the rationale that no country on earth would be willing to accept his remains. Nevertheless, many are concerned that the method by which bin Laden was buried might provoke anger among Muslims.

After the raid that killed bin Laden, the intelligence community is studying documents found at the compound. Intelligence officials hope to obtain more information about al-Qaeda plots and leaders. Al-Qaeda still poses a threat from both Pakistan and the Arabian Peninsula.

According to US officials, a significant amount of information that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden was obtained from CIA interrogators in secret overseas prisons, where “harsh interrogation tactics” were said to be used.

On Saturday, the Taliban announced its plans for a spring offensive in Afghanistan, and warned civilians to steer clear of the intended targets of the offensive. These targets include foreign troops, Afghan security forces, and government officials, as well as businessmen working with NATO forces.

The US plans to move drones from Pakistan to Afghanistan, following Pakistan’s request that the CIA remove personnel from Shamsi airbase near Quetta. Drone attacks within Pakistan are expected to continue, but the drones themselves will be based in Afghanistan.

A young suicide bomber, believed to be 12 years old, killed 4 people (3 men and 1 woman) in an attack on Ashkin Bazaar of Barmal district in Paktika province in southeastern Afghanistan. 12 other people were injured in the attack. The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack, claiming that they do not attack civilian targets, even as they announced a spring offensive against foreign troops, Afghan forces, and government officials.

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